Urine drug screening has typically been the most common form of drug test due to its cheap cost and ease of use. However, a mouth swab test is quickly becoming more popular. A mouth swab test is easy, offers almost instant results, and is generally a low-cost option for testing the presence of narcotics. Most importantly, mouth swab drug tests cannot be easily tampered with like urine drug screens. A mouth swab drug test is a screening test used to detect the presence of certain drugs in your system using your saliva. A mouth swab test is helpful when trying to detect if a person has recently abused a substance or drug. 
Detection Time of Drugs With a Mouth Swab Test
Mouth Swab tests are close to about 98 percent accurate. However, certain factors can affect the accuracy of these tests: the type of test used, drug type and concentration, quality of testing device, the skill of the facility and person administering the test, and the time of testing falling in between the detection time. The most common drugs checked for via mouth swab and when they can be detected include: Alcohol – Alcohol can be detected almost immediately but usually disappears after 12 hours. Amphetamines – Can be detected in 5 to 10 minutes after use but disappears in 72 hours. Methamphetamine – Meth can be detected as soon as 10 minutes after use. It can remain detectable for up to 4 days after ingestion. Cocaine – Can be detected as soon as 10 minutes after use but normally disappears in 24 hours. Opiates – Heroin and most other opiates are detectable in saliva, usually, one hour after ingestion, and are detected 24 to 36 hours after use. Marijuana – THC can be detected as soon as one hour after use but usually disappears in 12 hours. MDMA – Molly and ecstasy can be detected as soon as one hour after use. MDMA passes through the system rather quickly and usually becomes undetectable 24 hours after consumption. If you are looking at different drug testing methods and detection times, it means you have a test coming up soon. If drug testing is a common worry for you, this may signify that you need treatment for substance abuse.
Which Drugs Can Be Detected on a Mouth Swab?
A mouth swab drug test is done in one of 2 ways. One test swipes the inside of your cheek, and the other is a stick with a sponge-like material on end. The sponge part goes under your tongue, and you are usually instructed to hold your head down until the end of the stick turns a bluish-green color. Once it turns colors, the test is complete. Certain tests provide instant results, but others are sent to a lab with results produced within 24 hours. A mouth swab drug test can detect several drugs and substances. Some of the most common drugs tested for via mouth swab are:
- Alcohol
- Amphetamines
- Methamphetamine
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- MDMA
- Oxycodone
- Opiates
The one downside of using a mouth swab drug test is the shorter testing time range. Most drugs become undetectable in saliva after a few days.
Treatment for Substance Abuse
Evoke Wellness Coconut Creek is a premier treatment facility committed to providing the best care for anyone battling drug and alcohol addiction. Our top priority is your safety and comfort, and life in sobriety is our primary mission. Our team of professionals is some of the most experienced, compassionate, non-judgmental, and understanding people in the addiction field. We will treat you with the kindness and respect you deserve and help you start healing and moving forward on your path to long-term recovery. Help is only one phone call away. So give us a call today and our admissions specialists will assist you on the road to sobriety.
